Pen Turning

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:28 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:Well Jim, it wasn't as bad turning as I thought. Finishing was another matter though Wood seemed real "sappy" and the shavings even "caked" on the chisels some as I turned. Sanding it clogged the grit of brand new sandpaper, and I could even detect a slight smell like turpentine as I sanded. Finished out OK though. The blank was one of the "premium" blanks from PSI. Here's the finished product.

[ATTACH]6125[/ATTACH]

Tom,

Congratulations that is a really beautiful pen. I have turned a few Bethlehem Olive pens and had been warned to wear gloves, long sleeves and use a face shield. I remember the odor of the wood, and how sappy it was. I have a number of the blanks left and been reluctant to turn them. Even with the added protection I had a rash on one of my wrists. You really did a beautiful job. Thanks for sharing the picture. fjimp

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:13 pm

fjimp wrote:Tom,

Congratulations that is a really beautiful pen. I have turned a few Bethlehem Olive pens and had been warned to wear gloves, long sleeves and use a face shield. I remember the odor of the wood, and how sappy it was. I have a number of the blanks left and been reluctant to turn them. Even with the added protection I had a rash on one of my wrists. You really did a beautiful job. Thanks for sharing the picture. fjimp

Thanks Jim, I've turned a number of Bethlehem Olive Wood pens, that and Cocobolo are two of my favorite woods. Olive wood was nothing compared to how sappy this Hackberry was. I have one more blank in Hackberry, this one cut at 15 degrees. It'll be interesting to see if its similar to this one. I've already got the blank cut, drilled, and glued. I should get it turned sometime this week.

BTW, you mentioned a face shield... I just picked up a new pair of safety glasses at Rockler yesterday. The lenses are like bifocals with a section of the lenses ground for magnification. You can get them with 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 power. They are really nice on these old eyes especially when turning small items like pens.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:39 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:Thanks Jim, I've turned a number of Bethlehem Olive Wood pens, that and Cocobolo are two of my favorite woods. Olive wood was nothing compared to how sappy this Hackberry was. I have one more blank in Hackberry, this one cut at 15 degrees. It'll be interesting to see if its similar to this one. I've already got the blank cut, drilled, and glued. I should get it turned sometime this week.

BTW, you mentioned a face shield... I just picked up a new pair of safety glasses at Rockler yesterday. The lenses are like bifocals with a section of the lenses ground for magnification. You can get them with 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 power. They are really nice on these old eyes especially when turning small items like pens.

Can the new safety glasses be worn with prescription glasses? Would you mind sending me a link to look at? My vision requires wearing glasses with prisms built in. A friend recently observed my glasses remind him of glass coke bottle bottoms. I would love to see what you purchased. Fjimp:D

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:01 pm

fjimp wrote:Can the new safety glasses be worn with prescription glasses? Would you mind sending me a link to look at? My vision requires wearing glasses with prisms built in. A friend recently observed my glasses remind him of glass coke bottle bottoms. I would love to see what you purchased. Fjimp:D

Jim, HERE you go...

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:08 pm

Jim- I use Uvex brand Astro OTG ("over the glasses") safety glasses, which fit nicely over my pair of "coke bottle bottoms". I get them from Cole-Parmer ([url]http://www.coleparmer.com)[/url]. They come in four frame colors and you can get replacement lenses as well. Sorry, no magnification available with those.

Gary

baysidebob · Post by **baysidebob** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:11 pm

Wow Tom great lookiing pen. I ever get the hang of sharpening lathe chisels then maybe I will attempt something like this.............

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:15 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:Jim, HERE you go...

Thanks Tom,

I have looked at those before. Unfortunately they won't work with my glasses. I actually wear trifocals. The invent of computers required three ranges of vision about 25 years ago. I do use magnifiers in the shop. I have one that is bench mounted and has back light. The other fits over my glasses but gets in the way for close work. The bench mounted version can be used over my lathe. Real ahndy but not while turning.

I find this conversation both timely and interesting. Two weeks ago I broke my trifocals sunglasses while fishing in Alaska. I am hoping to finally get replacements on order tomorrow. Driving home from Denver in an easterly direction back to Virginia was very interesting with no sunglasses. fjimp

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 2:30 am

fjimp wrote:Thanks Tom,

I have looked at those before. Unfortunately they won't work with my glasses. I actually wear trifocals. The invent of computers required three ranges of vision about 25 years ago. I do use magnifiers in the shop. I have one that is bench mounted and has back light. The other fits over my glasses but gets in the way for close work. The bench mounted version can be used over my lathe. Real ahndy but not while turning.

I find this conversation both timely and interesting. Two weeks ago I broke my trifocals sunglasses while fishing in Alaska. I am hoping to finally get replacements on order tomorrow. Driving home from Denver in an easterly direction back to Virginia was very interesting with no sunglasses. fjimp

I am curious re the 'location' of the 'third' lense for computer use. Mine are on the top! i.e. reading(8") @ bottom, far in middle, computer(18") @ top. Actually the lower provides slight magnification for 'close up' work. I take them OFF to read!

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:59 am

JPG40504 wrote:I am curious re the 'location' of the 'third' lense for computer use. Mine are on the top! i.e. reading(8") @ bottom, far in middle, computer(18") @ top. Actually the lower provides slight magnification for 'close up' work. I take them OFF to read!

Interesting question. When I first added the mid range viewing ability to my glasses the optician explained the proper way is for the distance (like driving distance) be at the top as that makes for a wider range of field of vision. The mid range (for Computer work) is in the middle or below the distance placement as this is the normal progression far to closer items. The reading adjustment is at the bottom or in the third position. This has worked beautifully for me. I do a great deal of driving and like having the greater sized field at the top of my lenses be for distance viewing. The other two progressions also work very well. I am so thankful my glasses are arranged in that way. Prior to trifocals I changed my glasses numerous times daily when using the computer and felt my close vision was suffering in the bargain. As I write this I remember that the closer vision field was made a bit closer in the trifocals due to the creation of the mid range field which was a true blessing for reading. The only time I change them now is if I am out in the sun. Incidentally for sun glasses I always insist on polarized lenses. This offers a far superior visual experience when dealing with glare and also enables me to see below the surface of water when boating.

navycop · Post by **navycop** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:15 pm

This brings me to the post "Staying on subject". How did we go from pen turning to bifocals??